JP2003177056A - Combination metering apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a combination metering apparatus which can combine and meter a predetermined number of objects and a predetermined weight at a high speed. <P>SOLUTION: The combination metering apparatus discharges an aggregate of object groups in a range of a predetermined number of objects and in a predetermined weight range by combining the number of objects among a plurality of object groups and weights. The combination metering apparatus is provided with a plurality of photoelectric tubes 42, a plurality of load cells 62 and a controller. The photoelectric tubes 42 optically count the number of objects of object groups. The load cells 62 measure weights of object groups. The controller combines the number of objects of object groups counted by the photoelectric tubes 42 and the weights of object groups measured by the load cells 62 and discharges the aggregate of object groups in the range of the predetermined number of objects and in the predetermined weight range. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a combination weighing device,
In particular, it relates to a combination weighing device that discharges a predetermined weight and a predetermined number of articles.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A combination weighing device is often used to weigh a plurality of articles and obtain a predetermined weight and a predetermined number of articles. The combination weighing device measures the weight of articles stored in each of a plurality of weighing units by a load cell (weight detector), performs a combination calculation of each weighing value, and obtains a plurality of weighing units having a weight and a number within a predetermined range. And collect the articles from these weighing units.

Here, making the aggregate of articles a predetermined weight is realized by performing a combination calculation based on the weight measured by the load cell. However, various methods for further increasing the predetermined number of aggregates are possible, and some combination weighing devices have been proposed. For example, in Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. Sho 55-48249, a combination in which a weight calculated by a load cell is divided by a weight per article and the number obtained by this calculation is regarded as the number of articles accommodated in a weighing unit to perform a combination calculation. Metering devices have been proposed. Further, in the combination weighing device proposed in Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 3-44253, by accurately supplying a preset number of articles to the weighing section, the number of articles in the aggregate is set to a predetermined number, and the weighing section is set. The weight of the aggregate is set to a predetermined weight by performing a combination calculation based on the weights measured in.

[0004]

However, in the former combination weighing device, when the weight per article is different, there is an error in the number of articles stored in the weighing section calculated by the combination calculation. It is easy to occur. In such a case, even if the weight of the articles contained in the weighing section is divided by the average single weight of the articles, the number obtained by this calculation does not necessarily match the actual number of articles contained in the weighing section. Because. For example, since natural products such as chestnuts and seeds have different weights, the number obtained by such calculation is likely to have an error from the actual number. Therefore, with such a combination weighing device, it is difficult to obtain a predetermined weight and a predetermined number of aggregates.

In the latter combination weighing device, when the feeding speed to the weighing section becomes high, it becomes difficult to accurately feed a preset number of articles to the weighing section. Therefore, if it is attempted to realize a predetermined number of weighings with high accuracy, the supply speed will be suppressed. Therefore, it is difficult for such a combination weighing device to perform high-speed weighing.

An object of the present invention is to provide a combination weighing device capable of performing combination weighing of a predetermined number and a predetermined weight at high speed.

[0007]

A combination weighing device according to claim 1 is a combination weighing device which combines a number of articles and a weight of a plurality of article groups to discharge an aggregate of article groups in a predetermined number range and a predetermined weight range. The device comprises a plurality of optical counting means, a plurality of weighing means, and a control device. The optical counting means optically counts the number of articles in the article group. The weighing means weighs a group of articles. The control device combines the number of articles in the article group counted by the optical counting means and the weight of the article group weighed by the weighing means to discharge an aggregate of article groups in a predetermined number range and a predetermined weight range. Let

This combination weighing device can perform combination weighing in a predetermined number range and a predetermined weight range at high speed.
Particularly, since the weight of the article group is weighed by the weighing means and the number of articles of the article group is optically counted by the optical counting means, the weight per weighed article may be different. Also, it is possible to accurately count the number of articles in the article group and measure the weight. Therefore, it is possible to perform combination weighing in a predetermined number range and a predetermined weight range even for articles such as peeled chestnuts and seeds having different weights.

Further, this combination weighing device can combine the numbers according to the counted number of items and discharge a set of items in a predetermined number range. For this reason, even when a plurality of article groups having different article numbers coexist in the plurality of article groups, it is possible to eject a set of articles in a predetermined number range by combining the article numbers. Therefore, in this combination weighing device, it is not necessary to accurately determine the number of articles of all the article groups to the preset number. Therefore, this combination weighing device can perform combination weighing in a predetermined number range and a predetermined weight range at high speed.

A combination weighing device according to a second aspect is the combination weighing device according to the first aspect, further comprising a storage section for storing a predetermined number range and a predetermined weight range.
Then, when the total weight of the article group selected by the target total number does not fall within the predetermined weight range, the control device changes the target total number within the predetermined number range and performs combination so as to be within the predetermined weight range. .

In this combination weighing device, the control device gives priority to the total number and performs the combination. Therefore, this combination weighing device can perform combination weighing in a predetermined weight range and a predetermined number range even when the accuracy of the predetermined number is strict. The combination weighing device according to claim 3,
The combination weighing device according to claim 1, further comprising a storage unit that stores a predetermined number range and a predetermined weight range. Then, if the total number of the article group selected by the target total weight does not fall within the predetermined number range, the control device changes the target total weight within the predetermined weight range and performs combination so as to be within the predetermined number range. .

In this combination weighing device, the control device prioritizes the total weight to perform the combination. Therefore, the combination weighing device can perform combination weighing within a predetermined weight range and a predetermined number range even when the accuracy of the predetermined weight is strict. A combination weighing device according to claim 4 is the combination weighing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the article group includes a plurality of articles, and the articles are dropped and supplied to the weighing means. A supply unit is further provided. This supply unit has a planar step at the end where the article falls. Then, the optical counting unit counts the number of articles dropped from the supply unit.

In this combination weighing device, it is possible to prevent the articles from dropping at the same time by the planar step provided at the end of the supply section, and to prevent two or more articles from dropping at the same time. As a result, the optical counting unit rarely counts two or more articles as one, and the accuracy of counting the number of articles is improved. A combination weighing device according to a fifth aspect is the combination weighing device according to the fourth aspect, further comprising an auxiliary supply unit. The auxiliary supply unit is provided below the end of the supply unit with a distance, and has an inclined surface on which an article dropped from the end rolls. Then, the optical counting unit counts the number of articles that have passed through the auxiliary supply unit.

In this combination weighing device, the articles to be counted are unraveled by dropping from the end of the supply section and rolling the inclined section of the auxiliary supply section. As a result, it is possible to prevent the optical counting unit from collectively counting two or more articles, and increase the accuracy of counting the number of articles by the optical counting unit. A combination weighing device according to a sixth aspect is the combination weighing device according to the fourth or fifth aspect, further including a shutter portion. The shutter portion is provided near the end portion of the supply portion, and suspends the article by locking the article. Further, the shutter section is made of elastomer.

In this combination weighing device, since the article is temporarily stopped by the shutter, it is possible to prevent the article from dropping unnecessarily. If the articles drop from the supply section after the supply section stops the supply of the articles to the weighing means, the number of articles in the article group to be weighed will not be determined until all the articles have been dropped. However, it is difficult to perform high-speed weighing with this. In this combination weighing device, unnecessary dropping of articles is prevented, so that weighing can be speeded up.

Further, since the shutter portion is made of a flexible elastomer, it is possible to lock the article without damaging it.

[0017]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [Structure of Combination Weighing Apparatus] FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show a combination weighing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 and 2 are a front view and a side view of the combination weighing device 1, respectively. This combination weighing device 1 distributes articles such as foods and industrial products to a plurality of weighing hoppers, and weights of a plurality of articles (article group) stored in each weighing hopper and the number of articles stored in each weighing hopper ( It is a device for selecting a weighing hopper to be combined so that the total of the number of articles is within a predetermined weight range and a predetermined number range, and discharging a plurality of articles (aggregate of article groups) within a predetermined weight range and a predetermined number range. .

The combination weighing device 1 includes a supply chute 2, a supply feeder 3, an auxiliary chute 4, a pool hopper 5, a weighing hopper 6, a collecting chute 7, and a control device 9 (FIG. 7).
(Refer to FIG. 4) and the like, and a main body frame 8 that supports each part. Note that FIG. 3 shows a top view of the combination weighing device 1, but here, the supply chute 2, the supply feeder 3,
Only the auxiliary chute 4 and the pool hopper 5 are shown.

The supply chute 2 is a box-shaped member capable of stocking articles. Upper surface 2 of supply chute 2
0 is entirely open so that an article can be loaded. On the bottom surface of the supply chute 2, an input port 2 for inserting the articles stocked in the supply chute 2 into each supply feeder 3.
1 is open. The supply feeder 3 is composed of a first supply feeder 3a and a second supply feeder 3b. The first supply feeder 3a has a bottom surface 30a on which the articles to be sent as shown in FIG. 4 are placed, and an inclined side surface 31a which stands up from the bottom surface 30a and spreads upward. The second supply feeder 3b has a curved bottom surface 30b and an inclined side surface 31b which is continuous from the bottom surface 30b and spreads upward.

The first supply feeder 3a is, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, an input port 2 provided on the bottom surface of the supply chute 2.
Seven are arranged below 1 in the left-right direction. The second supply feeders 3b are, as shown in FIG. 2, each first supply feeder 3b.
It is arranged below the end 33a of a. Further, vibration generators 32a and 32b are provided below each supply feeder 3, and each supply feeder 3 vibrates when the vibration generators 32a and 32b vibrate.

The first supply feeder 3a has a supply chute 2
The first supply feeder 3 by applying vibration to the articles loaded from the
The article is conveyed to the end 33a of a and dropped from the end 33a. The article dropped from the end 33a is supplied to the second supply feeder 3b. The second supply feeder 3b is the first
The article supplied from the supply feeder 3a is vibrated to convey the article to the end 33b of the second supply feeder 3b and drop from the end 33b. The articles dropped from the end 33b are supplied to the auxiliary chute 4. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, a planar step 330 is provided at the end 33b of the second supply feeder 3b.

Further, a tip shutter 34 is provided above the second supply feeder 3b as shown in FIG. The tip shutter 34 includes a lever member 340 whose one end is rotatably supported in the vertical direction, and a lever member 340.
The shutter unit 341 is fixed to the other end of the shutter unit 341, and the shutter driving unit 342 that rotates the lever member 340. Although the shutter portion 341 is made of thin cylindrical vinyl chloride, a flexible material such as rubber may be used instead. The shutter portion 341 is arranged in the vicinity of and above the end portion 33b of the second supply feeder 3b, and its cylindrical circumferential surface faces the upper side of the bottom surface 30b of the second supply feeder 3b. The tip shutter 34 is the lever member 3
The shutter portion 341 can be moved up and down by rotating the pin 40 up and down around the pin support portion 343. When the shutter unit 341 moves downward, the shutter unit 341 locks the article conveyed by the second supply feeder 3b. In this way, the shutter section 341 temporarily stops the article on the second supply feeder 3b. When the shutter section 341 moves upward, the shutter section 341 opens the article. Then, the article drops again from the end portion 33b of the second supply feeder 3b.

The auxiliary chute 4, as shown in FIG.
It has an inclined surface 40 on which an article dropped from the end 33b of the supply feeder 3b rolls, and a side surface 41 standing upright from the inclined surface 40. The inclined surface 40 is provided below the end portion 33b of the second supply feeder 3b with a distance. A photoelectric tube 42 is provided on the side surface of the tip of the auxiliary chute 4. The photocell 42 optically counts the number of articles passing through the tip of the auxiliary chute 4.

As shown in FIG. 6, the pool hopper 5 is provided below the tip of the auxiliary chute 4, and temporarily stores the articles supplied from each auxiliary chute 4. The pool hopper 5 includes a cylindrical main body 50 that communicates with the upper and lower sides, and a main body 50.
Two tilted gates 5 that can be opened and closed at the bottom of the
1 and 52. The pool hopper 5 can store an article in the pool hopper 5 when both the gates 51 and 52 are closed, and discharges the stored article downward when either gate is opened. The pool hopper 5 can change the direction in which the articles in the pool hopper 5 are supplied by changing the opening gate. That is, when the gate 51 is opened, the gate 51
Is supplied below the gate 52 and when the gate 52 is opened, the product is supplied below the gate 52.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a total of 14 weighing hoppers 6 are arranged below the pool hoppers 5 in a row of 7 rows on the left and right sides and 2 rows of the front and rear sides. The front and rear rows are arranged corresponding to the two gates 51 and 52 of the pool hopper 5. The weighing hopper 6 includes a cylindrical main body 60 that communicates with the upper and lower sides, and a gate 6 that is provided on the lower surface of the main body so as to be openable and closable.
1 and 1. The weighing hopper 6 has a gate 61.
The articles can be accommodated in the hopper main body 60 when is closed, and the articles that are accommodated are discharged downward when the gate 61 is opened. Further, each weighing hopper 6 is connected to a load cell 62 as shown in FIG. The load cell 62 weighs the articles contained in each weighing hopper 6.

The collecting chute 7 includes two first collecting chutes 70a and 70b provided below the weighing hopper 6,
The second collecting chute 71 is provided below the first collecting chutes 70a and 70b. The first collecting chutes 70a and 70b and the second collecting chute 71 are box-shaped members having an open top and bottom. The bottom openings of the first collecting chutes 70a, 70b and the second collecting chute 71 are smaller than the top openings. First
Collecting chutes 70a, 70b and second collecting chute 71
The side surface of the is inclined so that the opening at the bottom is smaller than the opening at the top. The articles discharged from the plurality of weighing hoppers 6 are collected by the first collecting chutes 70a and 70b,
It is discharged from the openings on the bottom surfaces of the collecting chutes 70a and 70b. The articles discharged from the first collecting chutes 70a and 70b are collected by the second collecting chute 71 and discharged from the opening on the bottom surface of the second collecting chute 71.

As shown in FIG. 7, the control unit 9 controls the vibration generators 32a and 32b, the shutter drive unit 342, the pool hopper 5, the weighing hopper 6, the load cell 62, and the photoelectric tube 4.
It is connected to 2. Further, the control device 9 includes a storage unit 90.
Is equipped with. The storage unit 90 stores a predetermined number range and a predetermined weight range set in advance. Control device 9
Receives weighing data and counting data from the load cell 62 and the phototube 42, respectively. The control device 9 performs processing such as combination calculation based on these data and the predetermined number range and the predetermined weight range stored in the storage unit, and the vibration generators 32a and 32b, the shutter drive unit 342, the pool hopper 5, and the weighing unit. The operation of the hopper 6 is controlled.

The supply feeder 3, the auxiliary chute 4,
The numbers of the pool hoppers 5 and the weighing hoppers 6 are not limited to these and can be increased or decreased. [Operation of Combination Weighing Device 1] Next, the operation of the combination weighing device 1 will be described with reference to FIG. First, the worker
A plurality of articles are loaded through the opening 20 on the upper surface of the supply chute 2. The inserted articles are supplied to the first supply feeder 3a from the insertion port 21 on the bottom surface of the supply chute 2. The supplied articles are conveyed on the first supply feeder 3a and
It drops from the end 33a of the supply feeder 3a and is supplied to the second supply feeder 3b. The articles supplied to the second supply feeder 3b are conveyed on the second supply feeder 3b, fall from the end 33b of the second supply feeder 3b, and are supplied to the auxiliary chute 4. At this time, the second supply feeder 3b
As shown in FIG. 5, a flat step 330 is provided at the end portion 33b of the above, so that two or more articles are less likely to drop at the same time. The article dropped from the end portion 33b of the second supply feeder 3b falls a certain distance, and the auxiliary chute 4
It hits the inclined surface 40 (see FIG. 6). And the goods are
It rolls down along the inclined surface 40 and passes through the tip of the auxiliary chute 4. At this time, the photoelectric tube 42 provided on the side surface at the tip of the auxiliary chute 4 counts the number of articles passing therethrough. The number counted by the phototube 42 is sent to the control device 9 as count data. The article that has passed the tip of the auxiliary chute 4 drops from the tip and is supplied to the pool hopper 5 provided below the auxiliary chute 4. Here, when the photoelectric tubes 42 count a certain number or when a certain period of time elapses, the control device 9 stops the vibration of the supply feeders 3a and 3b, drives the shutter drive unit 342, and causes the shutter unit 341 of the front shutter 34 to operate. Move it down.
As a result, the article is temporarily stopped on the second supply feeder 3b.

In the pool hopper 5, when there is no article in one of the two front and rear rows of weighing hoppers 6 arranged below, the gate of the pool hopper 5 corresponding to the weighing hopper 6 in which there is no article opens. Then, the plurality of articles in the pool hopper 5 are supplied to the weighing hopper 6. When there is no article in both the front and rear two rows of weighing hoppers 6, the gate corresponding to any one of the weighing hoppers 6 is opened and the articles are supplied to the weighing hopper 6. In this way, a plurality of articles is stored in each weighing hopper 6. In the weighing hopper 6, the weight of the stored articles is weighed by the load cell 62. The weighed weight of the article is sent to the control device 9 as weighing data.

When the pool hopper 5 becomes empty, the gates 51 and 52 of the pool hopper 5 are closed, and the control device 9 moves the shutter portion 341 of the tip shutter 34 upward,
The supply feeders 3a and 3b are vibrated. In this way, the articles are supplied to the pool hopper 5 again. Such an operation is performed for each of the weighing hoppers 6 arranged in seven rows on the left and right, and a total of 14 weighing hoppers 6 store articles. Then, the weighing data and the counting data of the articles accommodated in each weighing hopper 6 are stored in the control device 9. The counting data and the weighing data are updated each time each weighing hopper 6 discharges an article and a new article is loaded.

Based on the count data and the weighing data, the control device 9 performs a combination calculation for selecting the weighing hoppers 6 in which the total number and the total weight are within the predetermined number range and the predetermined weight range. At this time, the control device 9 performs one of the following "calculation 1" or "calculation 2". "Calculation 1" is the following combination calculation. That is, the control device 9 once prioritizes a certain total number (target total number) and selects the weighing hopper 6 to be combined so that the total weight is closest to the target total weight. If the total weight of the articles stored in the selected weighing hopper 6 does not fall within the predetermined weight range,
The total number is changed within a predetermined number range and the weighing hopper 6 is selected again. Then, this calculation is repeated until the total number of articles falls within the predetermined number range. "Calculation 2" is the following combination calculation. That is, the control device 9 selects the weighing hopper 6 with the aim of achieving the target total weight. If the total number of articles stored in the selected weighing hopper 6 does not fall within the predetermined number range, the total weight is changed within the predetermined weight range and the weighing hopper 6 is selected again. Then, this calculation is repeated until the total weight of the articles falls within the predetermined weight range. In this way, the control device 9 selects the weighing hopper 6 whose total number and total weight are within the predetermined number range and the predetermined weight range.

When the weighing hoppers 6 to be combined are selected, the gates 61 of the corresponding weighing hoppers 6 are opened, and the articles are discharged from the weighing hoppers 6. The discharged articles are collected by the first collecting chutes 70a and 70b, and are discharged from the openings at the bottoms of the first collecting chutes 70a and 70b. Two
The articles discharged from one of the first collecting chutes 70a and 70b are collected into one by the second collecting chute 71 and discharged from the opening at the bottom of the second collecting chute 71.

After that, articles are again supplied from the pool hopper 5 to the empty weighing hopper 6, and the combination calculation and the article ejection are repeated. In this way, the combination weighing device 1 discharges a plurality of articles within a predetermined weight range and a predetermined number range. Next, as a specific example, consider a case where a plurality of peeled chestnuts are weighed and a group of peeled chestnuts having a number of 8 and a weight of 40 g or more and 42 g or less is discharged.

The plurality of peeled chestnuts put into the supply chute 2 are stored in the respective weighing hoppers 6 as described above. Here, when the number of peeled chestnuts counted by the photoelectric tube 42 becomes two, the control device 9 stops the vibration of the supply feeder 3 and moves the shutter portion 341 of the tip shutter 34 downward. It should be noted that there may be a weighing hopper 6 containing a number of peeled chestnuts other than two. The control device 9 performs the combination calculation so that the total number is 8 and the total weight is 40 g or more and 42 g or less. For example, the control device 9
Selects four weighing hoppers 6 each containing two peeled chestnuts and calculates the total weight of the selected weighing hoppers 6. If the total weight does not exceed 40 grams and 42 grams, the weighing hopper 6 is selected again. Total weight is 4
Weighing hopper 6 until weighing from 0 to 42 grams
Repeat the selection of. It is also possible to combine two weighing hoppers 6 each containing three peeled chestnuts and one weighing hopper 6 containing two pieces. And the total weight is 40 grams or more 4
When the weighing hopper 6 having a weight of 2 grams or less is selected, the gate 61 of the weighing hopper 6 is opened, and the aggregate of peeled chestnuts is discharged. In this way, the total number is 8 and the total weight is 4.
Aggregates of peeled chestnuts weighing 0 to 42 grams are discharged.

[Characteristics of combination weighing device] As described above,
The combination weighing device 1 according to the present embodiment can perform combination weighing in a predetermined number range and a predetermined weight range at high speed. In particular, since the weight of the articles accommodated in the weighing hopper 6 is measured by the load cell 62 and the number thereof is counted by the photocell 42, even when the weight per article to be measured is different. The number and weight of articles supplied to the weighing hopper 6 can be accurately detected. Therefore, it is possible to perform combination weighing in a predetermined number range and a predetermined weight range even for articles such as peeled chestnuts and seeds having different weights.

Further, in this combination weighing device, it is not necessary to accurately supply a preset number of articles to the weighing hopper 6. The number of articles stored in the weighing hopper 6 is counted, and a combination calculation is performed based on this number. As a result, it is possible to eject a set of articles in a predetermined number range. In the above-mentioned specific example, in order to weigh eight peeled chestnuts, all the weighing hoppers 6 are required.
It is not necessary to supply two stripped chestnuts each. Even if there is a weighing hopper 6 containing three peeled chestnuts, eight peeled chestnuts are weighed depending on the combination of the numbers. Therefore, in this combination weighing device 1, it is not necessary to suppress the article supply speed in order to accurately supply a preset number of articles to the weighing hopper 6. Therefore, this combination weighing device 1
It is possible to perform combination weighing in a predetermined number range and a predetermined weight range at high speed.

When the number of articles is counted by the phototube 42, when two or more articles overlap and pass in front of the phototube 42, two or more articles may be collectively counted as one. However, this combination weighing device 1 can shift the timing of dropping the articles by the planar step 330 provided at the end portion 33b of the second supply feeder 3b and suppress the simultaneous dropping of two or more articles. further,
The auxiliary chute 4 is connected to the end 33b of the second supply feeder 3b.
The second supply feeder 3b, which is provided below and apart from the second supply feeder 3b.
Has an inclined surface 40 on which the article dropped from the end portion 33b of the item rolls. Therefore, the article falls from the end 33b of the second supply feeder 3b and rolls on the inclined surface 40,
It is loosened before being counted by the photocell 42. As a result, the phototube 42 rarely counts two or more articles as one, and the counting accuracy is improved.

Further, in this combination weighing device, since the article is temporarily stopped by the shutter portion 341, it is possible to prevent the article from being dropped unnecessarily. That is, if the articles drop from the second supply feeder 3b after the second supply feeder 3b stops the supply of the articles, the number of articles to be supplied to the weighing hopper cannot be determined until all the articles have fallen. However, it is difficult to perform high-speed weighing with this. In this combination weighing device, since unnecessary dropping of such articles is prevented, the weighing speed can be increased. Further, since the shutter portion 341 is made of flexible vinyl chloride, it can be locked without damaging the article.

In the combination weighing device 1, the calculation 1 may be performed when the accuracy of the predetermined number range is strict. In the calculation 1, the combination calculation is performed by giving priority to the number. Therefore, it is possible to accurately perform the combination weighing in the predetermined weight range and the predetermined number range within the predetermined number range. When the accuracy of the predetermined weight is strict, the calculation 2 may be performed. In the calculation 2, the combination calculation is performed by giving priority to the weight. Therefore, it is possible to accurately perform the combination weighing in the predetermined weight range and the predetermined number range within the predetermined weight range.

<Other Embodiments> In the above-described embodiments, the supply feeder 3, the auxiliary chute 4, and the pool hopper 5 are provided.
And a pair of weighing hoppers 6 are combined weighing devices 1
Although they are arranged in the left-right direction, it is possible to arrange these pairs in a circular shape below the supply chute 2.

The inclination angle of the inclined surface 40 of the auxiliary chute 4 may not always be constant, but the inclination angle may be variable. Thereby, it is possible to select the inclination angle at which the article is easily loosened according to the type of the article. As means for optically counting the number of articles, a CCD camera or the like can be considered in addition to the phototube 42.

The control of the first supply feeder 3a is not limited to the control described above, and for example, the bottom surface 3 of the second supply feeder 3b is used.
The supply may be controlled by the optical sensor A1 provided above 0b (see FIG. 8). That is, the optical sensor A1 detects the accumulation state of the articles on the second supply feeder 3b, and if the articles are excessively accumulated on the second supply feeder 3b, the vibration of the first supply feeder is stopped. The first supply feeder 3a is controlled by vibrating the first supply feeder 3a.

The planar step provided at the end portion 33b of the second supply feeder 3b is not limited to the shape like the above-mentioned planar step 330, and as shown in FIG. 9, the vicinity of the center of the end portion 33b projects. It may be shaped like a planar step 331. Also in this case, it is possible to prevent two or more articles from simultaneously dropping from the end portion 33b of the second supply feeder 3b.

[0044]

The combination weighing device according to the present invention can perform combination weighing in a predetermined number range and a predetermined weight range at high speed. Particularly, since the weight of the article group is weighed by the weighing means and the number of articles of the article group is optically counted by the optical counting means, the weight per weighed article may be different. Also, it is possible to accurately count the number of articles in the article group and measure the weight. Therefore, it is possible to perform combination weighing in a predetermined number range and a predetermined weight range even for articles such as peeled chestnuts and seeds having different weights. Further, this combination weighing device can combine the numbers according to the counted number of items and discharge a set of items in a predetermined number range. For this reason, even when a plurality of article groups having different article numbers coexist in the plurality of article groups, it is possible to eject a set of articles in a predetermined number range by combining the article numbers. Therefore, in this combination weighing device, it is not necessary to accurately determine the number of articles of all the article groups to the preset number. Therefore, this combination weighing device can perform combination weighing in a predetermined number range and a predetermined weight range at high speed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a combination weighing device.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the combination weighing device.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the combination weighing device.

FIG. 4 is a front view of a second supply feeder, an auxiliary chute, and a pool hopper.

FIG. 5 is a top view of a second supply feeder, an auxiliary chute, and a pool hopper.

FIG. 6 is a side view of a second supply feeder, an auxiliary chute, and a pool hopper.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a control unit and each unit.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the combination weighing device.

FIG. 9 is a top view of the end portion of the second supply feeder.

[Explanation of symbols]

3b 2nd supply feeder (supply section) 4 Auxiliary chute (auxiliary supply section) 9 Control device 40 slope 42 Phototube (optical counting means) 62 load cell (measurement means) 90 Memory 330 Planar step 341 shutter section

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A combination weighing device for discharging a set of articles in a predetermined number range and a predetermined weight range by combining the number of articles and the weight of a plurality of articles, wherein the number of articles in the article group is optically measured. A plurality of optical counting means for quantitatively counting, a plurality of weighing means for weighing the weight of the article group, the number of articles in the article group counted by the optical counting means, and the weighing means. And a control device configured to combine the weights of the article groups to discharge a collection of the article groups in a predetermined number range and a predetermined weight range. 2. The combination weighing device according to claim 1, further comprising a storage unit that stores the predetermined number range and the predetermined weight range, wherein the control device selects the target total number. A combination weighing device, wherein when the total weight of the article group does not fall within the predetermined weight range, the target total number is changed within the predetermined number range to perform combination so as to be within the predetermined weight range. 3. The combination weighing device according to claim 1, further comprising a storage unit that stores the predetermined number range and the predetermined weight range, wherein the control device selects the target total weight. A combination weighing device, wherein when the total number of articles is not within the predetermined number range, the target total weight is changed within the predetermined weight range to perform the combination so as to be within the predetermined number range. 4. The combination weighing device according to claim 1, wherein the article group includes a plurality of articles, and further includes a supply unit that drops the articles and supplies the articles to the weighing means. The combination weighing device, wherein the supply unit has a planar step at an end where the article falls, and the optical counting unit counts the number of the articles dropped from the supply unit. 5. The combination weighing device according to claim 4, wherein the auxiliary supply is provided below the end of the supply unit with a distance, and has an inclined surface on which the article dropped from the end rolls. A combination weighing device, further comprising a unit, wherein the optical counting unit counts the number of the articles that have passed through the auxiliary supply unit. 6. The combination weighing device according to claim 4, further comprising a shutter unit provided near an end of the supply unit, for temporarily stopping the article by locking the article. A combination weighing device, wherein the shutter part is made of an elastomer.